A Detailed Guide to Oklahoma’s Natural Falls State Park

We were pleasantly surprised with our month-long stay in Oklahoma overall, but those feelings grew when I learned there waterfalls to explore in the state.

Natural Falls State Park is a lovely little escape to waterfalls, scenic hikes, and, if you want to stay a little bit longer, the yurt life.

If the name doesn’t ring a bell but the images of the park seem familiar, that may be the falls’ starring role as a filming site for Where the Red Fern Grows. 

Yes, I know it was a book first. I also read sometimes.

This guide is a detailed look at all of the best things to do in Natural Falls State Park, including our favorite hikes, and how to plan your visit to this lovely spot.

Where is Natural Falls State Park?

Natural Falls State Park is near Colcord and West Siloam Springs, two Oklahoma towns situated near the Oklahoma and Arkansas border. This region of northeast Oklahoma is Ozark Highlands country, or put more simply, the Ozarks.

You can get here on an easy day trip from Tulsa. It’s just over an hour’s drive from Tulsa with tolls or about an hour and 20 minutes without tolls.

Note: This park is not the same as Okmulgee Lake & Recreation Area, once known as Dripping Springs Park. The falls in the park were actually renamed from Dripping Springs Falls to Natural Falls to avoid continued confusion on the matter, but it still trips people up.

How much does it cost to go to Natural Falls State Park?

Natural Falls State Park costs $10 per vehicle for the day. You can pay before you even get there by filling out your car info online for a digital parking pass or pay upon arrival at the kiosks on site.  

The park is part of the Oklahoma State Parks, so if you have a national park pass, it won’t work here.

Things to Do at Natural Falls State Park

A good day of nature hikes was our primary purpose for making the trek out to Natural Falls, and the park did not disappoint. None of your options are very long or strenuous, and most of the trails connect to one another.

You can create your own loops of about three miles or so just by connecting from one trail to the next. You can also pick and choose from the trails I mention below based on how much time you have in the area.

Dogs are allowed in Natural Falls State Park as long as they’re leashed, by the way. We brought our own pup for an afternoon of hiking around the falls and she had a great time, even when hikes required a bit more scrambling than usual.

See the Natural Falls.

This moderate Dripping Springs Trail of just over a mile is why most tourists travel to Natural Falls State Park. While there is indeed a spring and a little lake along the way, the big payoff here is the park’s 77-foot-tall waterfall, once known as the Dripping Springs.

You can see the falls from a viewpoint at the very top, but if you’re able, follow the boardwalk path to the lower level for views from below. The moderate rating comes from a short section of elevation gain along a natural path that does get fairly steep. 

Once you’re at the bottom, all of the effort is worth it. The falls are a jewel of Oklahoma tourism. While you may only get a trickle depending on when you’re here, the scenery is lovely from any angle. 

If you want more of a challenge while you’re down here, you can connect to this one from the Bear Trail. That short spur starts near the picnic pavilion along the paved Pine Ridge Trail. It’s steep but all downhill for a little over half a mile. 

Walk the Ghost Coon Trail.

I don’t love the name of this easy trail, but I guess it’s a reference to the critters who frequent these parts when dusk falls. The evidence of that is right there on the signage, with their little paw prints imprinted into the wood. 

I suppose it could also reference the coonhounds in the classic novel this place is connected to, but I feel like I’m getting into the weeds now. 

The trail itself is more of a nature walk through prairie and forest of just under a mile-and-a-half. We saw a stroller on this one. That’s how easy it was.

Note: The trail isn’t paved, by the way, so that family may have had some regrets.

Hike the Fox Den Trail.

Dripping Springs is scenic and lush, but the Fox Den Trail is the most exciting of the available trails. It packs quite a bit in over a short distance of just over a mile. You’ll see a series of caves along the way, a dam and manmade falls, and a river crossing.

We had to scramper over a series of rocks in the middle of a shallow river with our skittish dog. Nobody got wet and I feel like we should get a reward of some sort for that.

I can see this one getting a little precarious after a rainy day and less precarious than our experience in the dry months, but I’d still recommend it if you’re up for a little intrigue.

There are some steep climbs up and down on this trail, especially if you lose the trail itself on your maps. Follow along on your AllTrails map to reduce your risk of getting lost. 

Fun fact: If you upgrade to AllTrails+, you can download trail maps ahead of your hikes in case you lose service in a less populous area. We had no problem catching a signal in this park, but it’s a good thing to know if you’re an avid hiker (or want to be).

Find picnic shelters along the Pine Ridge Trail.

We found ourselves on this one accidentally on our way to the Drippings Springs Trail, and you likely will, too. This is a paved trail of about 0.7 miles that connects visitors from the main parking lot to other areas of the park.

It’s not all that exciting, but you’ll use it to get to the park’s picnic shelters, disc golf, and other park amenities. 

Honestly, I still don’t know what disc golf is. I see the posts. I see people playing. I just don’t ever see people successful at the thing. Are there any experts out there?

Go wildlife watching.

Natural Falls is a popular spot for wildlife watching. We only heard critters in the woods on our hike, but we had our dog with us.

I imagine seeing that panther in the woods frightened off any chance for the deer, raccoons, and turkeys we may have seen otherwise.

READ MORE: Love wildlife in your travels? You’ll want to drive the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop.

Can you swim at Natural Falls State Park?

You can’t swim at Natural Falls. It would be dangerous for you to do so. If you want to take a dip after a day of hiking at Natural Falls, there are several public swimming areas within an hour of the falls along the Illinois River.

That includes public access points at Round Hollow, Peavine, No Head Hollow, and Stunkard.

Natural Falls State Park Yurts

Let’s say you know you’re going to love it here based on my descriptions of the park and want to stay overnight. The park boasts one of the most unique overnight stays in the state. You can stay in a yurt here for an evening of glamping.

Fun fact: The portable, round tents known as yurts were first used by nomadic people in Central Asia. In the United States, they’re popular with nomadic people who want some hot content for their social media.

There are five yurts at Natural Falls State Park. Three of them sleep up to six and two sleep up to four people. Each yurt includes basic amenities like mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and a small table and chairs. 

Outside each yurt, amenities include picnic tables, lantern holders, a charcoal grill and fire ring, portable toilets, and a set of Adirondack chairs. You won’t have shower facilities on site, but there is a comfort station at the RV campground nearby.

You can reserve a yurt at Natural Falls State Park by calling park staff at (918) 422-5802 or booking online. 

The park also has RV sites and tent sites, but you’ll need to reserve those in advance, as well, even if you’re here for camping at Natural Falls State Park. You can’t just show up and pitch a tent wherever you please. 

If you’re looking for a place to host your family reunion or corporate events (I really don’t know what that means), the Red Fern Reunion Center at the park is available for rentals. 

Natural Falls State Park Cabins

Outside of those options inside the park, you can stay within close proximity to the park at the park’s cabins and other accommodations. We visited the park on a day trip from Tulsa, but here are a few cabin-style accommodations that caught my eye:

• This log cabin in Flint Creek, Oklahoma, looks like it could lead to some pretty spectacular sunsets. You’ll be right across the street from an 1830s-era mill, too.
• This woodland retreat sleeps up to four with kayaking available on the lake just around the corner.
• This listing in Flint Creek is your new “Happy Place.” Those are their words, not mine, but I must say those Adirondack chairs do look inviting.

Check out the map below for more options close to the park:

Things to Do Near Natural Falls State Park

There are a few attractions of note as far as things to do near Natural Falls State Park if you’re in the area enjoying that yurt life: 

• Visit Flint Creek Water Park, just five minutes from Natural Falls, for more trails, fishing, and a natural swimming hole.
• Cross over the border into Arkansas for water activities at Siloam Springs Kayak Park. Watch the website for potential closures due to flood waters!
• Check out the wares at the Siloam Springs Farmers Market if you’re visiting on a Saturday outside of the winter months.

If you’re on a long road trip to Oklahoma’s state parks, here are a few more parks that may be of interest:

• Robbers Cave State Park: This one is famous for its connections to outlaws like Jesse James and Belle Starr. You can hike to the caves they hid out in, which sounds pretty sweet.
• Roman Nose State Park: Visit this park for canyon vistas, mountain biking trails through gypsum rock cliffs, and natural springs. This one also boasts an 18-hole golf course in case that does anything for you. (It sure does something for Brian!)
• Tenkiller State Park: Don’t freak out about the name. It’s a nod to Lake Tenkiller, which is named after the Tenkillers, a local and important Cherokee family. Did you get all that? If so, visit for all of the water activities, including a scuba diving site.

READ MORE: This region has a deep Native American history. Learn about the heart of Cherokee Nation!

When to Visit Natural Falls State Park

Natural Falls State Park is open year-round from daylight to dusk every day of the week. The best times to visit are the spring and fall for blooming flowers, changing leaves, and nice temperatures. 

We visited right on the cusp of spring at the tail-end of winter and still enjoyed balmy temperatures and perfect hiking weather in the great outdoors. 

As far as the best hours to visit, I always like getting an early start when I’m hiking, but this one doesn’t seem to get to get too busy.

Is Natural Falls State Park worth visiting?

Natural Falls State Park in Oklahoma is definitely worth visiting. The park’s main attraction is a stunner, but it’s also a great place to hike and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

I hope I’ve enticed you enough to check out the power of natural waterfalls in this part of the country, as our waterfall action goes beyond Yosemite!